Pirates Adam Frazier Trade: Did Bucs Receive Enough In Return?

Pittsburgh PA

26 July, 2021

9:41 AM

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PITTSBURGH, PA — The question won't be answered for several years, but Pirates fans started asking it the moment the news broke Sunday evening: Did the team get enough in return for trading Adam Frazier? The All-Star second baseman was dealt to the San Diego Padres in exchange for three prospects that virtually no one in Pittsburgh has ever heard of. In return, the Pirates are acquiring three prospects: infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-handed pitcher Michell Miliano. According to MLB.com,Marcano is the Padres fifth-best prospect; the other two are not ranked among the Padres top 30 prospects. The Pirates reportedly are sending $1.4 million to the Padres as part of the transaction. With many fans locally expecting more of a return for Frazier, here's the initial reaction to the trade from baseball writers across the country: Mark Polishuk, MLB Trade Rumors: "Pittsburgh fans expecting multiple top-100 type prospects may be disappointed by the return, though it's worth noting that Frazier has been more solid than outstanding during his career...the Bucs did add three notable prospects to add to GM Ben Cherington's overhaul of the farm system."Edward Sutelan, Sporting News: "The Pirates had little use for Frazier, who didn't match up with theircompetitive timeline. They capitalized on his best season to date by turning him into a meaningful prospect (Marcano) who's about ready to take his place in the lineup and also happens to be eight years younger, plus twoplayers who could help them compete down the road."Jon Heyman, MLB Network: "Marcano was the key guy in deal for Pirates. He was the one (they) wanted. Ranked No. 5 in Padres system — and was not available during talks this off-season in (Joe) Musgrove deal. Jack Suwinski and Michell Miliano the others going to Pitts. Strong return."Vincent Frank, Sportsnaut:"By all accounts, this appears to be a fair trade. Pittsburgh valued Marcano at such a high clip that it was willing to send $1.4 million to the Padres to help offset Frazier's contract. For good reason. MLB.com had the infielder as the fifth-ranked Padres prospect at the time of the trade."Mike Persak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The return "may be lower than what some expected, with some prognostications earlier this month that Frazier could net the Pirates two top-100 prospects in a trade. Realistically, that was never going to be the case."Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.